I get where you’re coming from, but I disagree on a couple points:
Game design relies heavily on finding uses for the player character’s abilities. Imagine a metroidvania where you pick up a cool new grappling hook, only to realize there’s no terrain that can be grappled, and most enemies aren’t affected. What’s the point?
In terms of good/bad game design in TTRPGs, my philosophy is pretty simple; If everyone at the table is having a good time, it’s good game design. For my players, getting to use the abilities that they picked or earned throughout the game is super rewarding. For me as a GM, I can scale encounters a little higher knowing that they have a built-in edge.
In fact, my number one resource for game prep is my players’ character sheets. Did someone pick an obscure language as part of their backstory? You’d better believe it’s going to show up in the game! Dragonchess proficiency? Guess what the game of choice is at the local tavern?
Conversely, if an ability becomes the only thing a PC relies on, it can be interesting to add a foil to that ability. For example, one of my players built a Kensei Monk with a specialization in firearms. It was a fun character for him, but the sheer damage output he could do kind of overshadowed everyone else. My solution was to introduce a combat encounter where he could use the weapon, but doing so had a chance to attract more hostile creatures.
Anyway, all this to say that in my opinion, playing to your player characters’ strengths is not only rewarding for them, it can help a GM create some really cool moments.
I get where you’re coming from, but I disagree on a couple points:
Game design relies heavily on finding uses for the player character’s abilities. Imagine a metroidvania where you pick up a cool new grappling hook, only to realize there’s no terrain that can be grappled, and most enemies aren’t affected. What’s the point?
In terms of good/bad game design in TTRPGs, my philosophy is pretty simple; If everyone at the table is having a good time, it’s good game design. For my players, getting to use the abilities that they picked or earned throughout the game is super rewarding. For me as a GM, I can scale encounters a little higher knowing that they have a built-in edge.
In fact, my number one resource for game prep is my players’ character sheets. Did someone pick an obscure language as part of their backstory? You’d better believe it’s going to show up in the game! Dragonchess proficiency? Guess what the game of choice is at the local tavern?
Conversely, if an ability becomes the only thing a PC relies on, it can be interesting to add a foil to that ability. For example, one of my players built a Kensei Monk with a specialization in firearms. It was a fun character for him, but the sheer damage output he could do kind of overshadowed everyone else. My solution was to introduce a combat encounter where he could use the weapon, but doing so had a chance to attract more hostile creatures.
Anyway, all this to say that in my opinion, playing to your player characters’ strengths is not only rewarding for them, it can help a GM create some really cool moments.